There is nothing worse for MS than stress, but unfortunately for Laura, stress is something she can’t escape.  She’s a teacher by day, a waitress at night, and a mom 24 hours a day. Laura never forgets she has MS; the disease reminds her daily with slurred speech, imbalance and fatigue, but since the day she was diagnosed, Laura has chosen to deal with MS by not dealing with it at all. And the family does the same. Although Laura has long avoided talking to anyone with MS for fear of confronting what the future might hold for her, Laura steps out of her comfort zone and meets with another woman with MS. A friendship is forged and her perspective on the disease begins to change. For the first time, Laura can discuss her symptoms, challenges and fears with someone who understands. Laura agrees to participate in an MS Society walk in Tucson and faces another fear in the process—being away from her children overnight. 

Meanwhile, Todd struggles with the fact that Laura has to work so much to support the family.   He feels like less of a provider because his construction business isn’t bringing in enough money for her to quit her second job. When Dean presents Todd with a way to market himself by speaking to a room of potential clients, Todd has to decide if the $400 fee required to participate is worth the risk. Bailey fears that her mom’s MS will one day cause her to end up in a wheelchair, so she doesn’t like to thinking about it.  She yells at her mom for bringing it up around her.  But after talking to her siblings she realizes that she needs to be there for her mom.  She decides that the kids should do something special for her. She records all the Bruce-Rumseys professing their love and appreciation.